Question

COMPUTER NETWORK AND CYBERSECURITY

Q5 Explain the difference between single-bit errors and burst errors in error control in communications systems. (3 marks)

(a) If a noise event causes a burst error to occur that lasts for 0.1 ms (millisecond) and data is being transmitted at 100Mbps, how many data bits will be affected? (3 marks)

(b) Under what circumstances is the use of parity bits an appropriate error control technique?

Answer 1

Question (5)

Single bit errors are errors which only affect isolated bits . Burst errors are errors which affect many bits within a block of bits.

a) If a burst error lasts for 0.1 ms i.e. 0.1x10^-3 seconds. Hence for a transmission capacity of 100 Mbps i.e. 100 x 10⁶ bits per seconds, in 0.1ms it will be able to affect (100 x 10⁶)x(0.1x10^-3) = 10,000 bits

b) The use of parity bits stands only appropriate if the expected bit errors are of type single bit errors.

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